Multi-link RTS and CTS transmissions

Abstract

In a wireless local area network system, a reception multi-link device (MLD) may not transmit a CTS frame, even if the reception multi-link device receives an RTS frame via a second link, in the case that an STA operating via a first link is a TXOP responder.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a second station (STA) operating on a second link, a first request to send (RTS) frame on the second link, wherein the second STA is included in a receiving multi-link device (MLD), wherein the receiving MLD further includes a first STA operating on a first link, wherein the first STA is a transmission opportunity (TXOP) responder, wherein the first link and the second link are a non-simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) link pair; 
 skipping, by the second STA, clear to send (CTS) frame transmission for the first RTS frame, based on that the first STA is the TXOP responder; and 
 receiving, by the second STA, a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) on the second link. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving MLD is a non-STR MLD which is unable to perform transmission on the first link while reception is performed on the second link. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , before receiving the first RTS frame on the second link, further comprising:
 receiving a second RTS frame on the first link; and 
 transmitting a CTS frame for the second RTS frame on the first link. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting acknowledgement (ACK) for the PPDU on the second link. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first link and the second link are a non-STR link set which is unable to perform transmission on the first link while reception is performed on the second link. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting information related to STR capability of the first link and second link. 
     
     
       7. A receiving multi-link device (MLD) used in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the receiving MLD comprising:
 a first station (STA) operating on a first link; and 
 a second STA operating on a second link, 
 wherein the first STA is a transmission opportunity (TXOP) responder, and 
 wherein the first link and the second link are a non-simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) link pair, 
 wherein the receiving MLD is adapted to: 
 receive, by the second STA, a first request to send (RTS) frame on the second link; 
 skip, by the second STA, clear to send (CTS) frame transmission for the first RTS frame, based on that the first STA is the TXOP responder; and 
 receive, by the second STA, a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) on the second link. 
 
     
     
       8. The receiving MLD of  claim 7 , wherein the receiving MLD is a non-STR MLD which is unable to perform transmission on the first link while reception is performed on the second link. 
     
     
       9. The receiving MLD of  claim 7 , wherein, before receiving the first RTS frame on the second link, the receiving MLD is further adapted to:
 receive a second RTS frame on the first link; and 
 transmit a CTS frame for the second RTS frame on the first link. 
 
     
     
       10. The receiving MLD of  claim 7 , wherein the receiving MLD is further adapted to transmit acknowledgement (ACK) for the PPDU on the second link. 
     
     
       11. The receiving MLD of  claim 7 , wherein the first link and the second link are a non-STR link set which is unable to perform transmission on the first link while reception is performed on the second link. 
     
     
       12. The receiving MLD of  claim 7 , further comprising transmitting information related to STR capability of the first link and second link.